No one hurt in Dollar General Store robbery

Merced police say no one was hurt during an armed robbery late Tuesday night at the Dollar General Store, at 1729 W. Highway 140.

Police arrived to the scene about midnight, and set up a perimeter around the store before finding all four employees outside, according to Sgt. Bobby Chapman.

According to employees, two Latino men in their mid-20s entered the store, wearing black hooded jackets and dark masks. The robbers forced their way into the manager's office. One of the robbers was armed with a chrome semi-automatic handgun, Chapman said.

The armed robber pushed a 51-year-old female employee against the wall, put the gun to her head and demanded cash.

Meanwhile, the other bandit grabbed money that was on the counter and asked where the $100 bills were. The employee told the men she didn't have access to the rest of the money.

As both robbers walked into the main section of the store, a 23-year-old employee ran toward the back of the store, warning the manager and another employee, Chapman said.

All four employees escaped outside. The robbers fled in an unknown direction with an undisclosed amount of cash.

Police are asking anyone with information about the case or the robbers' whereabouts to call Sgt. Scott Skinner at (209) 385-4702 or the department's automated tip line at (209) 385-4725. Tips are kept confidential and you can remain anonymous. Anonymous text messages can be sent to the department by dialing "TIP411" (847411) and including the word "ComVIP" as the keyword.